What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

Walker Hall January Review

Hello Everyone!

There have been so many changes since the last entry. We started the spring semester of our 2012-2013 school year with 117 residents and counting. There are still students looking to move into the residence hall this semester!

Our programs and events have been going well. Residents have enjoyed trips rollerskating, going to the movies and they are excited about planning more off campus events. On campus programs have been excellent and creative thanks to our Resident Assistants. We have enjoyed a Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament, Board Game Night  and our residents have contributed to events by hosting Wii Game Nights and Card Game Nights. Ranken staff member, Brian Sieve hosted a workshop, The Secret to Academic Success.

January 2013 also marked our 5th anniversary for Walker Residence Hall. We celebrated with music, food and fellowship. Even one of the first residents came back on campus! Anthony Doss returned to DJ the event! He was part of the first group of residents in Walker Hall. He still keeps in touch with us and always supports us when needed. We are looking forward to many years in the future!

I look forward to sharing more with you regarding Walker Hall. I am excited about our growth in numbers as well as events.

 

Your Dorm Mom,

LaTrina Rogers

Director of Residential Life

Walker's Weekend Outing

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to stop by and share about our weekend. This school year, Walker Hall residents will have the option of participating in a weekend outing. The outings will occur once per month. September's outing was Sky Zone which is an indoor trampoline park. It's crazy fun!!! The trampoline will also make the most in shape person feel out of shape according to the residents. They had a great time in open jump and an awesome time playing 3-D Dodgeball! Can you imagine playing dodgeball while jumping on a trampoline?!

Walker Hall Update

Well, residents have moved into the building and life at Ranken has begun! There is so much going on with new residents trying to learn the ropes and veteran residents working hard to complete their degrees. We have managed to have some fun in between! There are some cool events coming up so check in to see the new pictures! Here are a few pics of residents on the first day, at an ice breaker event and some random fun pics!

   


   
 

More Than 100 Students Make Walker Hall Home

Photo: Students moved back into Walker Hall last week.

 

Over the summer the Buildings and Grounds department installed kitchenettes in two of the two-bedroom apartments units, patched and repainted several rooms as well as the hallway walls and common areas. "Buildings and Grounds has done a great job of getting the building prepared for students to return," said Sutton. "We can’t thank them enough as well as John from ABBCO for always making sure the building looks great."

While just on campus a few days, the residents have been very busy with various activities and social gatherings. An orientation session was held for new residents which introduced the policies and procedures associated with residential life. LaTrina Rogers, hall manager, facilitated "Roommate Workshops" which gave residents the chance to learn the expectations of being a good roommate and to create a roommate contract that involves establishing rules for the room to make sure everyone is accountable and respectful. Wing meetings were also hosted by each of this semester’s resident assistants; Taryn Underwood, Roger Mudd and Kory Wagner.

Not only has Walker Hall taken a huge step toward reaching full capacity, but students who live further away are choosing Ranken for their secondary education since there is now the option of living on campus. Eight students from the Chicago area, one from Joplin, Mo. and one from Texas are now living in the dorms.

"In the past we were unable to recruit in these areas," said Mike Hawley, director of Admissions. "Now we have counselors in several outlying areas who are working hard to promote the College and Walker Hall. I think our promotion efforts last year which included bringing in chartered busses for mini-shadow-a-tech events as well as giving the option for potential students to stay the night prior to events really helped spread the word that Ranken is no longer a "commuter college." We plan to continue finding ways to promote dorm life and bringing in groups from areas in Missouri like Kansas City and Springfield as well as areas of Indiana and Kentucky."

On Monday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 21 Ranken students began moving back into Walker Hall to begin the fall 2012 semester. With 116 (67 new, 49 returning) students now living on campus, this is the fullest the now three-year old dormitory has been.

Ranken Partners With College Summit

Photo: Kevin Andert, admissions counselor, gave a presentation to the College Summit participants about the opportunities available at Ranken.

On Thursday, June 28, 35 upcoming high school seniors from the local College Summit program came to campus to begin a four-day workshop which kicks off an intense year long program that is intended to give the participants a jump start on the college application process. The students are the top 20% of students who are enrolled in the program and are chosen to attend the workshop in order to return to their high school and spread their enthusiasm to their peers.

College Summit was founded 18 years ago by J.B. Schramm, a teen center director who saw how college transformed the lives of young people in the neighborhood. The program came to St. Louis in 2004 at the urging of Jane Donahue, a former College Summit writing coach who saw the need for the program in the area. The program was originally introduced to students in the St. Louis Public School District (SLPS) but has expanded into the Normandy School district and the Shearwater Education Foundation. Since working with College Summit, SLPS has achieved a 13% increase in their college enrollment rates and has met the Missouri Department of Education College Placement Standard for the past three years.

During their stay at Ranken, students will be staying in Walker Hall and attending various sessions which give them the tools they need to begin the college application process. Students learn how to effectively write a personal statement, meet one-on-one with a guidance counselor, learn the basics of the financial aid process and gain concrete skills in self-advocacy.

While on campus, students took a tour of the College and learned more about the opportunities available in technical education and more specifically at Ranken from Admissions Counselor Kevin Andert.

 

Spark Plug Challenge

Enter the Spark Plug Challenge with a friend at the upcoming Ranken Car Show on April 15th. 

Sponsored by the Alumni Council this challenge will test your skills at spark plug changing— 4 out and 4 in—the fastest time wins a prize! At the end of the day are you the fastest? Champion trophy will be given during the awards ceremony for the fastest time recorded. Singles, duos and teams are welcome. The cost per timed contest is $1 and all proceeds go toward the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.

See you there!

 

A Walker Hall Review

It's been a while since my last entry and I wanted to take some time to get you caught up on life in Walker Hall. We have been busy with classes and fun. Since the weather has given more nice weather, residents have taken advantage to see the St. Louis area and hang out. Residents are hanging in Forest Park, the Delmar Loop and taking in St. Louis Blues Hockey games!

We have had some fun activities from huge Halo games, Brain Teaser Scavenger Hunt, Geek Week, Birthday Celebrations, Civil Rights to Human Rights Movie Week and we to the movies at the Galleria Mall. I always tell residents that life at Walker Hall is what you make it. There is much more fun to come. Check out some pictures of events and my funny residents. Our Facebook page has even more pictures.

Have an awesome day,

LaTrina

Your Dorm Mom

 



2012...A New Start

Happy 2012 to all!

Well, our spring semester has gotten into full swing and things are going well. We currently have 102 residents in Walker Hall. Our residents are working and playing hard. We have tons of new things going on and we are excited!

January was filled with planning, reminders and get to know you sessions. February is filled with diversity programs. Resident Assistant, Kory Wagner is starting the "My Room is Hate Free" Campaign, Resident Assistant, Shelby Snider is teaching tolerance and there will be a Civil Rights to Human Rights Movie Week. We can't forget our goofy events such as The Ramen Rumble (best ramen recipe), Brain Teasers, Valentine Bash (anti V-Day) and Stress Relief.

We have opened applications for the Resident Assistant positions for 2012-2013. There will be information session about these positions.

"Rebuilding Day" Annual Community Service Event

Alumni and students are invited to participate in the national Rebuilding Day sponsored by St. Louis' Rebuilding Together organization. This day of giving back to the community by repairing, rebuilding and upgrading homes of the elderly, handicapped and low income in the St. Louis area will be held on Saturday, May 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Groups all over the country will be joining together to help others on this national day of service. This is the 3rd year for Ranken's involvement in this event and is a fun day supporting a good cause. Only a helping attitude, 25 workers and a house captain are required. Personal tools are a plus! Join us as we assist a homeowner near the Ranken campus and continue support of our neighbors.

Pictures of previous Rebuilding Days can be found at our Flickr Page.

Contact Kathy Fern, (314) 286-4895 or email ktfern@ranken.edu with your interest or questions.

Turkey Time to Winter Time

November was a fun filled month for Walker Hall. Of course, everyone was anxious for the Thanksgiving Break. I have to admit, even I (The Dorm Mom) was also excited. The Walker Hall family filled the time before the break by...having programs! Well, did you think it would be something different?! :-)

There was The Dorm Edition of Minute to Win It, Milk Drinking Contest, Art Creation, Art Exhibition, Book Club, Movie Night, Bible Study, Discussions on racism with a movie and our favorite...our monthly birthday celebration!

Winter time is upon us and there is so much planned before our Winter Break! December 1 we will Deck The Halls of Walker Hall with holiday decorations! Walker Hall residents will also make cards for children in local St. Louis hospitals. In expectation of the new year, a program to assist residents with their new year plan will be presented. A Holiday Movie Marathon will make our season a bit brighter and our holiday party by the Residence Hall Association will give a great send off to residents for their three weeks off.

I can't wait to return and share what we will be doing in 2012!!

Happy Holidays,

Your Dorm Mom

LaTrina Rogers